Veteran television journalist Allan Raskall appears to be happily accepting his resignation from Channel Nine’s Melbourne office after his bosses reportedly told him he was no longer needed at the ailing TV network.
Two weeks ago, the media star shared a tongue-in-cheek selfie on Instagram in which he wears a suit that resembles a LinkedIn portrait photo and grins while holding up a sign that reads, “Job Wanted.”
“Such is the life (of a freelancer),” Raskall wrote. “Looking for work. Call me.”
It appears that Raskall had ended his relationship with the network around the time he posted his message.
Multiple sources within the company have said that Raskall’s temporary contract would not be extended, amid the network’s ongoing exercise to save profits, the report said. The Herald Sun.
“I’ve been a freelancer at Nine for over a decade, I think even big companies have to cut back on luxuries during a cost of living crisis! Who knows what the future holds?” Raskall told the publication.
A Nine spokesperson confirmed Raskall’s departure, citing “economic challenges facing the media sector” as the reason for the decision to “pause” all temporary contracts. However, he said he would always be a “much-loved member” of the team.
The self-proclaimed ‘TV News Man’ has built a loyal following since starting his career at Nine’s Sydney headquarters before moving to Darwin, then the Melbourne newsroom.
Veteran journalist Allan Raskall (left) is the latest casualty of job losses in Australia’s troubled media sector. Pictured with Peter Hitchener
Raskall returned to his freelance career, a job he enjoyed for six years before joining 9News’ Melbourne newsroom on an on-call basis in October 2013.
The veteran newsreader, who has also reported for Channel Ten in the past, is a fixture in Melbourne’s social scene and is a frequent visitor to theatre premieres, including the musical Six last week.
The long-time theater fan also recently announced that he will soon make his stage debut in a guest role in Club Vegas.
It comes less than a week after broadcasting icon Liz Hayes lost her true crime series amid bloodshed among network executives.
The media star shared a tongue-in-cheek selfie on Instagram in which he is dressed in a LinkedIn suit that resembles a headshot of a man, grinning and holding up a sign that reads “Work Wanted”
9News has confirmed it has put all casual workers ‘on pause’ as it faces the ‘economic challenges’ facing the media sector
Channel Nine insiders have revealed that the veteran reporter’s award-winning program Under Investigation with Liz Hayes was being “reviewed” and was on the verge of being axed amid widespread budget cuts and redundancies at the network.
Long-standing Nine staff said they were shocked by the decision, especially as Hayes had just been nominated for a Silver Logie for her work as presenter of the series.
“If that’s what they want to do with Liz Hayes’ show, then there’s nothing wrong with it,” a concerned network insider told Daily Mail Australia.
‘Liz is a Nine legend and the face of the network. Even considering ending her show is just brutal – it means that absolutely no one and nothing is safe.’
While Hayes’ show may be gone, the star journalist remains with the network she first joined four decades ago, as a news reporter at Nine’s Sydney headquarters in 1981.
Nine boss Mike Sneesby announced that hundreds of jobs would be cut at the network as part of a $30 million cost-cutting plan.
“Of our national team of almost 5,000 people, approximately 200 jobs at Nine are expected to be affected, including a number of vacant and temporary roles that will not be filled,” Nine’s CEO said.
Since then, Sneesby has repeatedly come under fire for his ‘dodgy’ generosity in the face of austerity, including his decision to fly to Paris to carry the Olympic torch before the Games.
The veteran newsreader, who has also reported for Channel Ten in the past, is a fixture in Melbourne’s social scene and often attends theatre premieres
He was also criticised for staying in a luxury five-star hotel and spa in the heart of the French capital, while the hard-working reporters covering the Olympics were relegated to cheap accommodation in the suburbs.
Members of Nine’s leadership team had also booked a stay at the glamorous, ivy-clad Le Pavilion de la Reine hotel and spa in the heart of the capital’s sought-after Le Marais district.
Priding itself on its “elegant atmosphere” and “discreet” world-class luxury, the hotel is steps from the city’s most popular attractions, including Notre Dame Cathedral, Le Centre Pompidou and the Louvre. It features fitness facilities, spa access and complimentary breakfast.
While Hayes’ job at the network is secure, it turns out that several members of the program’s close-knit team have already lost their jobs at the network.